Casing for electric connector

ABSTRACT

A casing in which an electric connector is housed, including a floor, and at least one wall standing perpendicularly to the floor, wherein the wall is formed with an opening, when a part of the electric connector projects outwardly through the opening, a seal formed around the part makes close contact with an inner edge of the opening, the casing further including a pair of guide paths allowing the electric connector at opposite ends thereof located in a first direction to slide towards the opening from inside of the casing on a first surface with which the electric connector makes contact at a lower surface thereof, the first direction being defined as a length-wise direction of the wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a casing used for an electric connector, andfurther to an electric connector to be used in combination with thecasing.

2. Description of the Related Art

A kind of an electric connector is housed in a casing, and is coupledwith a second electric connector connected to a cable. The electricconnector includes a fitting portion through which the electricconnector is coupled with the second electric connector. The fittingportion generally extends outwardly through an opening formed with thecasing. Accordingly, the electric connector, in particular an electricconnector to be equipped in an automobile, is generally designed toinclude a seal making close contact with the opening for the purpose ofwaterproofness.

An electric connector as mentioned above is suggested in Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 2001-345153.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the electric connector suggested inthe Publication.

An electric connector 1000 is inserted into a cylindrical portion 1003formed at a sidewall 1002 of a casing 1001 until a flange 1004 of theelectric connector 1000 makes abutment with the sidewall 1002. Then,screws 1006 are screwed into threaded holes 1007 through through-holes1005 to thereby fix the electric connector 1000 to the casing 1001. Aseal 1008 is compressed by and accordingly makes close contact with aninner surface of the cylindrical portion 1003.

In the conventional electric connector 1000 illustrated in FIG. 13, theseal 1008 is compressed by and accordingly is able to make close contactwith an inner surface of the cylindrical portion 1003. Consequently,even if the electric connector 1000 were coupled to the cylindricalportion 1003 having an axis extending in parallel with an axis of theelectric connector, the electric connector 1000 does not exert aninfluence on a degree by which the seal 1008 is compressed in adirection perpendicular to the axis of the electric connector 1000,ensuring that the seal 1008 is entirely uniformly compressed, and thus,the seal 1008 provides sufficient sealing performance.

However, if the electric connector 1000 were fixed to the casing 1001 insuch a condition that the electric connector 1000 inclined relative tothe cylindrical portion 1003, the seal 1008 would make abutment with aninner edge of an opening of the cylindrical portion 1003, and hence, theseal 1008 might be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned problem in the conventional electricconnector, it is an object of the present invention to provide a casingused for an electric connector, capable of fixing an electric connectorthereto without damaging a seal.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an electricconnector to be used in combination with the above-mentioned casing.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a casing inwhich an electric connector is housed, including a floor, and at leastone wall standing perpendicularly to the floor, wherein the wall isformed with an opening, when a part of the electric connector projectsoutwardly through the opening, a seal formed around the part makes closecontact with an inner edge of the opening, the casing further includinga pair of guide paths allowing the electric connector at opposite endsthereof located in a first direction to slide towards the opening frominside of the casing on a first surface with which the electricconnector makes contact at a lower surface thereof, the first directionbeing defined as a length-wise direction of the wall.

The casing in accordance with the present invention is designed toinclude a pair of guide paths for allowing the electric connector toslide or move towards the opening of the wall on the first surface,ensuring it possible to prevent the electric connector from incliningrelative to the opening while the electric connector is sliding ormoving. Thus, a seal of the electric connector can make uniform abutmentwith an inner edge of the opening, and accordingly, be uniformlycompressed.

It is preferable that each of the guide paths includes a first parthaving the first surface, and a second part having a third surfacestanding perpendicularly to the first surface, a distance between thethird surfaces of the guide paths being in accordance with a length ofthe electric connector in the first direction.

The third surfaces make it possible to slide the electric connectortherealong, ensuring it possible to prevent the electric connector frominclining relative to the opening in the above-mentioned firstdirection.

It is preferable that each of the third surfaces includes a taperedportion causing a distance between the third surfaces to be smallertowards the opening from inside of the casing.

It is preferable that each of the guide paths further includes a thirdpart having a second surface extending from the third surface inparallel with the first surface, a distance between the first and secondsurfaces being such a distance that the electric connector is fittableat the opposite ends into a space formed between the first and secondsurfaces.

The second surfaces prevent the electric connector from floating fromthe first surfaces, ensuring it possible to prevent the electricconnector from inclining in a height-wise direction.

It is preferable that the third part is detachably attached to thesecond part.

It is preferable that a length of the second surface in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than a lengthof the first surface in the second direction.

It is preferable that the second surface extends towards the openingfrom a location away in the second direction from an end of the firstsurface located remoter than the other end thereof from the opening inthe second direction.

By so designing the second surfaces, the electric connector can be puton the first surfaces without being interfered with the second surfaces.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided anelectric connector to be housed in the casing, including a pair ofextensions outwardly extending from opposite ends located in the firstdirection, each of the extensions having a tapered portion causing adistance between the extensions to be smaller towards the opening frominside of the casing.

The advantages obtained by the aforementioned present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

The casing in accordance with the present invention is designed toinclude a pair of guide paths for allowing the electric connector toslide or move towards the opening of the wall on the first surface,ensuring it possible to prevent the electric connector from incliningrelative to the opening while the electric connector is sliding ormoving. Thus, a seal of the electric connector can make uniform abutmentwith an inner edge of the opening, and accordingly, be uniformlycompressed. Thus, the electric connector can be fixed to the casingwithout damaging a seal.

The above and other objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will be made apparent from the following description made withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters designate the same or similar parts throughout the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the casing inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, aswell as a printed circuit board on which an electric connector ismounted, and a second electric connector to which the electric connectoris connected.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the casing in which the electric connectormounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the secondelectric connector is housed.

FIG. 3 is a partial rear perspective view of the casing in which theelectric connector is housed.

FIG. 4 is a partial rear perspective view of the casing.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the casing in which the electric connector ishoused.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the casing in which the electricconnector connected to the second electric connector is housed.

FIG. 8 is a front upper perspective view of the electric connector.

FIG. 9 is a rear lower perspective view of the electric connector.

FIG. 10 is a rear lower perspective view of the electric connector.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a first step of housing theelectric connector in the casing.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a second step of housing theelectric connector in the casing.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view showing a third step of housing theelectric connector in the casing.

FIG. 12 is a rear upper perspective view of the electric connectorhoused in the casing.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the conventional electricconnector and casing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention isexplained hereinbelow with reference to drawings. In the specification,a “front” of the electric connector indicates a side of the electricconnector through which the electric connector is connected to thesecond electric connector, a “rear” of the electric connector indicatesa side opposite to a “front”, a “lower” indicates a direction from theelectric connector to a floor of the casing, and an “upper” indicates adirection opposite to a “lower”.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, an electric connector 1 is mounted on aprinted circuit board 20, housed in a casing 30, and then, connected toa second electric connector 100 to which a cable C is connected. Thecasing 30 is in the form of a box (a cover thereof is not illustrated).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the casing 30 includes at least a floor 312,and a front wall 311 standing at a front edge of the floor 312perpendicularly to the floor 312. The front wall 311 is formed with anoval opening 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the electric connector 1 includes afitting portion 11 (defined as “a part” in claim 1) through which theelectric connector 1 is connected to the second electric connector 100(see FIG. 1), a body 12, a seal 13 arranged around the fitting portion11 for providing waterproofness, and a plurality of male connectorterminals 14 making mechanical and electrical contact with femaleconnector terminals of the second electric connector 100. The fittingportion 11 is formed at a front of the body 12. The fitting portion 11and the body 12 are formed integral with each other by a resin moldingprocess.

The fitting portion 11 comprises a first fitting portion 111 and asecond fitting portion 112 both arranged in a width-wise direction F1 ofthe casing 30 (that is, a length-wise direction of the front wall 311).Both of the first and second fitting portions 111 and 112 have a hollowinner space 113. The first fitting portion 111 is designed to have alarger cross-sectional area than that of the second fitting portion 112.Each of the first and second fitting portions 111 and 112 is fit intothe second electric connector 100. The male connector terminals 14extend in the inner spaces 113.

The male connector terminals 14 pass through the body 12 to thereby befixed relative to the body 12. The body 12 is fixed to the casing 30 tothereby fix the electric connector 1 to the casing 30.

The body 12 includes a top plate 12 a located highest in the body 12.The top plate 12 a is formed at opposite ends thereof with threadedholes 12 p into which screws are screwed for fixing the printed circuitboard 20 onto the electric connector 1.

The top plate 12 a includes extensions 121 extending from opposite endsof the top plate 12 a in the width-wise direction F1. The extensions 121are designed to have a flat surface, and to be formed with fixing holes121 p. The top plate 12 a is formed further with a pair of projections122 at opposite ends thereof for positioning the printed circuit board20 relative to the electric connector 1.

The body 12 is formed at opposite ends of a bottom 12 b thereof with apairs of extensions 123 extending in the width-wise direction F1 andfurther rearwardly (that is, a direction F2 (see FIGS. 1 and 3)perpendicular to the direction F1). Each of the extensions 123 is formedwith a fixing hole 123 p.

Each of the extensions 123 includes a sidewall 123 a extending in thedirection F2 in which the electric connector 1 is connected to thesecond electric connector 100, and a front wall 123 b designed to betapered in the direction F2 from a rear towards a front of the body 12.Thus, each of the extensions 123 is substantially trapezoidal.

The body 12 includes a pair of side structures 12 c comprising two resinvertical plates spaced away from each other in parallel with each other,and a plurality of horizontal partition plates sandwiched between thevertical plates and equally spaced away from one another. The sidestructures 12 c form a part of the body 12 together with a front wall 12d supporting male connector terminals 14 therewith.

The seal 13 is formed on the front wall 12 d to surround therewith thefitting portion 11 at a proximal end of the fitting portion 11. The seal13 comprises a lip packing, and makes close contact with an inner edge32 a of the opening 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the male connector terminals 14includes a first portion 141 linearly extending forwardly from the body12 into the first and second fitting portions 111 and 112, the firstportion 141 being in the form of a pin, a second portion 142 extendingrearwardly from the body 12 towards the printed circuit board 20, thesecond portion 142 being L-shaped, and a third portion 143 passingthrough the body 12.

The first portion 141 is inserted into and makes electrical contact witha female connector terminal of the second electric connector 100 fitinto the fitting portion 11. The second portion 142 is inserted into athrough-hole formed through the printed circuit board 20 to thereby makeelectrical contact with the printed circuit board 20. The third portion143 is embedded in the body 12 to thereby allow the first and secondportions 141 and 142 to be supported by the body 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the male connector terminals 14 aregrouped into a first group of male connector terminals for the firstfitting portion 111, and a second group of male connector terminals forthe second fitting portion 112. The first group includes the maleconnector terminals 14 in two rows and three rows located at a rear ofthe two rows. Each of the male connector terminals 14 in the two rows isdesigned to have a cross-sectional area larger than that of the maleconnector terminal 14 in the three rows. The second group includes themale connector terminals 14 in a matrix, each having a cross-sectionalarea substantially equal to the same of the male connector terminals 14in the two rows in the first group.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printed circuit board 20 is almostrectangular, and is fixed to the casing 30 by means of screws such thatthere is a space in which the electric connector 1 is housed. Theprinted circuit board 20 is formed with a pair of cut-outs 21 throughwhich a driver (not illustrated) is inserted into the casing 30 forscrewing the electric connector 1 to the casing 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the casing 30 is an aluminum die-cast product,and is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped box. As mentionedabove, the casing 30 is formed at the front wall 311 with the roundedcornered rectangular opening 32 through which the fitting portion 11 ofthe electric connector 1 projects outwardly of the casing 30. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the casing 30 includes a pair of first pillars 33and four second pillars 33 x to all of which the printed circuit board20 is screwed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 12, the first pillars 33 are formedintegral with the front wall 311 so as to sandwich the opening 32therebetween in the direction F1. The first pillars 33 act as a firstpositioning unit 30 a for positioning the electric connector 1 relativeto the opening 32 in the direction F1. Specifically, a space W1 (seeFIG. 12) between the first pillars 33 is set in accordance with a widthW2 (see FIG. 12) of the body 12, and the first pillars 33 are positionedin accordance with a length of the opening 32 in the direction F1. Thus,the fitting portion 11 of the electric connector 1 can be fit into theopening 32 by positioning the body 12 in the direction F1 between thefirst pillars 33 acting as the first positioning unit 30 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first pillars 33 are located in alignmentwith front corners of the printed circuit board 20. As illustrated inFIG. 4, each of the first pillars 33 is formed at a top surface 33 athereof with a threaded hole 33 p.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the electric connector 1 and the printedcircuit board 20 are fixed to the casing 30 by aligning the fixing holes121 p (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the top plate 12 a with the threaded holes33 p, and further aligning the through-holes (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of theprinted circuit board 20 with the threaded holes 33 p, and then,screwing the top plate 12 a (accordingly, the body 12) and the printedcircuit board 20 by means of screws 121 q. As illustrated in FIG. 12,each of the first pillars 33 is designed to have a height H1 measuredfrom a later-mentioned base surface 351 to the top surface 33 a. Herein,the height H1 is set equal to such a height that the seal 13 (see FIGS.1 and 8) is just aligned with the opening 32 in a height-wise directionF3 (see FIGS. 1 and 12) of the front wall 311 of the casing 30. Thus,the first pillars 33, in particular, the top surfaces 33 a act as asecond unit 30 c (see FIG. 3) which is a part of a second positioningunit for positioning the electric connector 1 relative to the opening 32in the direction F3.

The above-mentioned height H1 is set equal to a height H2 measured froma lower surface of the extensions 123 through which the extensions 123make contact with the base surfaces 31, to a lower surface of theextensions 121 and accordingly the top plate 12 a.

The printed circuit board 20 is fixed to the casing 30 further by beingscrewed to the second pillars 33 x illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theprinted circuit board 20 is fixed to the second pillars 33 x at centerand rear corners at opposite edges situated in the direction F1 (seeFIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, a pair of L-shaped first blocks 35 forpositioning the electric connector 1 is formed on the floor 312 of thecasing 30. The first blocks 35 are situated outwardly of the opening 32in the direction F1. The first blocks 35 are integral at a front thereofwith the first pillars 33.

As mentioned below in detail, the casing 30 includes a pair of guidepaths 34 (see FIG. 6) allowing the electric connector 1 at theextensions 123 to slide towards the opening 32 from inside of the casing30, ensuring that the fitting portion 11 can be inserted into theopening 32 without deviation in the directions F1 and F3.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the guide paths 34 is defined by afirst surface 351 f with which the extensions 123 of the electricconnector 1 make contact at a lower surface thereof, a second surface363 situated above and in parallel with the first surface 351 f, and athird surface 352 a standing perpendicularly to the first surface 351 f.

The first surface 351 f is provided by a first part 351 of the firstblock 35, and the third surface 352 a is provided by a second part 352of the first block 35. A distance in the direction F3 between the firstsurface 351 f and the second surface 363 is designed to allow theextension 123 of the electric connector 1 to slide therebetween. Adistance in the direction F1 between the third surfaces 352 a isdesigned to allow the extensions 123 to slide therebetween. The firstsurfaces 351 f are designed to have such a height relative to the floor312 that the seal 13 aligns with the opening 32 in the direction F3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the first blocks 35 is formed at thefirst surfaces 351 f with a threaded hole 351 p. The electric connector1 is fixed to the casing 30 by putting the extensions 123 on the firstsurfaces 351 f such that the fixing holes 123 p of the extensions 123align with the threaded holes 351 p, and screwing the extensions 123 tothe first blocks 35 by means of the screws 123 q (see FIG. 3). When theelectric connector 1 is fixed to the block 1, the seal 13 aligns withthe opening 32 in the direction F3. Thus, the first surfaces 351 f actas a first unit 30 b which is a part of the above-mentioned secondpositioning unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the casing 30 further includes a pair ofL-shaped second blocks 36. Each of the second blocks 36 comprises afirst portion 361, and a second portion 362 extending from the firstportion 361. The first portion 361 in each of the second blocks 36 isscrewed to a top surface of the second part 352 of the first block 35such that the second portion 362 projects beyond the second part 352inwardly of the casing 30 in the direction F1, enabling the secondportion 362 to define the above-mentioned second surface 363.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second blocks 36 and accordinglythe second surfaces 363 are designed to have a length smaller than alength of the first surface 351 f in the direction F2. Furthermore, thesecond surfaces 363 extend towards the opening 32 from a location awayin the direction F2 from an end of the first surface 351 f locatedremoter than the other end thereof from the opening 32 in the seconddirection F2. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the secondsurfaces 363 is extensive only above a central area 351 c of the firstsurface 351 f, and not extensive above a rear area 351 a and a frontarea 351 b of the first surface 351 f. Namely, the rear area 351 a andthe front area 351 b of the first surface 351 f are exposed.

Each of the second blocks 36 is designed to have such a width (a lengthin the direction F1) that the threaded hole 351 p is exposed (namely,not covered by the second block 36) so that a driver can be insertedthrough the cut-out 21 (see FIG. 2) of the printed circuit board 20 toscrew the extension 123 to the first surface 351 f.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a distance between the first surface351 f and the second surface 363 is designed to be slightly greater thana thickness of the extension 123 to allow the extension 123 to slide inthe guide path 34.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a distance between the third surfaces352 a in the direction F1 is defined in accordance with a distancebetween the sidewalls 123 a of the extensions 123. Specifically, adistance between the third surfaces 352 a in the direction F1 is definedto allow the extensions 123 to slide within the guide paths 34, asmentioned earlier.

Each of the third surfaces 352 a includes a tapered portion 37 (see FIG.4) causing a distance between the third surfaces 352 a to be smaller ata location closer to the opening 32 from inside of the casing 30. Eachof the third surfaces 352 a is continuous to the first pillar 33 throughthe tapered portion 37, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Hereinbelow is explained a process of setting the electric connector 1into the casing 30.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the printed circuit board 20 on whichthe electric connector 1 is mounted is brought above the casing 30 suchthat the electric connector 1 faces the casing 30. Then, the extensions123 of the electric connector 1 are positioned above the rear areas 351a of the first surfaces 351 f.

Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 11B and 12, the extensions 123 of theelectric connector 1 are put on the rear areas 351 a.

If the second blocks 36 had such a length in the direction F2 that thesecond surfaces 363 cover the rear areas 351 a, since the second blocks36 interfere with the extensions 123, it is burdensome to put theextensions 123 on the rear areas 351 a of the first surfaces 351 f.However, the rear areas 351 a are not covered by the second surfaces363, namely, are exposed to an inner space of the casing 30, and theextensions 123 can be readily put on the rear areas 351 a of the firstsurfaces 351 f. Thus, the body 12 is now in a condition to be slidabletowards the opening 32 in the direction F2.

Then, the body 12 is made to slide towards the opening 32 on the firstsurfaces 351 f, namely, along the guide paths 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, since the extensions 123 of the electricconnector 1 slide along the guide paths 34 defined by the first surface351 f, the second surface 363 and the third surface 352 a, the body 12can reach the opening 32 without being floated above the first surfaces351 f. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the body 12 from incliningin the direction F3, specifically, prevent the fitting portion 11 fromobliquely upwardly (or downwardly) inclining relative to the opening 32in the direction F3.

Furthermore, since the extensions 123 are guided by the third surfaces352 a while sliding along the guide paths 34, it is possible to preventthe body 12 from inclining relative to the opening 32 in the directionF1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9, the extensions 123 slide along theguide paths 34 through the rear areas 351 a, the central areas 351 c andthe front areas 351 b in this order. When the front walls 123 b of theextensions 123 arrive at the front areas 351 b, the front walls 123 bmake abutment with the tapered portions 37, and thus, the extensions 123are guided along the tapered portions 37. Accordingly, it is possible todirect the body 12 in the direction F2 accurately to the opening 32situated between the first pillars 33 merely by causing the body 12 toslide along the guide paths 34.

Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 11C, the electric connector 1 slidesalong the guide paths 34 until making contact with the front wall 311,and thus, the fitting portion 11 of the electric connector 1 projectsoutwardly of the casing 30 through the opening 32. In this situation, asillustrated in FIG. 3, the body 12 is sandwiched between the firstpillars 33 with the side structures 12 c making contact with inner (orfacing) surfaces of the first pillars 33.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the body 12 can be positioned in thedirection F1 by making contact with the first pillars 33 acting as thefirst positioning unit 30 a. Furthermore, since the first pillars 33acting as the first positioning unit 30 a are spaced away from eachother by a distance W1 defined in accordance with the width W2 of thebody 12, the body 12 can be sandwiched between the first pillars 33 withthe side structures 12 c of the body 12 making contact with the firstpillars 33, ensuring that the body 12 cannot be moved in the directionF1. Thus, the body 12 sandwiched between the first pillars 33 allows theseal 13 to accurately align with the inner edge 32 a of the opening 32in the direction F1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 12, when the fitting portion 11 is fitinto the opening 32, the fixing holes 123 p of the extensions 123 alignwith the threaded holes 351 p of the first surfaces 351 f, and thefixing holes 121 p of the top plate 12 a align with the threaded holes33 p of the first pillars 33.

As mentioned above, the first pillars 33 act as the first positioningunit 30 a for positioning the electric connector 1 relative to theopening 32 in the direction F1, and hence, the electric connector 1 canbe positioned in the direction F1 merely by being inserted between thefirst pillars 33.

Furthermore, the electric connector 1 can be positioned in the directionF3 by putting the extensions 123 on the first surfaces 351 f and/ormounting the extensions 121 on the top surface 33 a of the first pillars33.

Then, the electric connector 1 is fixed to the casing 30 by means of thescrews 123 q (see FIG. 3) inserted into the threaded holes 351 p throughthe fixing holes 123 p, and further by the screws 121 q (see FIG. 3)inserted into the threaded holes 33 a through the fixing holes 121 p ofthe extensions 121. The printed circuit board 20 on which the electricconnector 1 is mounted is fixed to the casing 30 by screwing the printedcircuit board to the second pillars 33 x.

Since the body 12 is fixed to the first surfaces 351 f through theextensions 123 by means of the screws 123 q (see FIG. 3), it is possibleto prevent the body 12 from moving and/or inclining in the direction F3.Furthermore, since the top plate 12 a is fixed to the first pillars 33by means of the screws 121 q (see FIG. 3), it is further possible toprevent the body 12 from moving and/or inclining in the direction F3.

As mentioned above, the body 12 of the electric connector 1 ispositioned in the direction F1 by means of the first positioning unit 30a, and further positioned in the direction F3 by means of the secondpositioning unit including the first unit 30 b and the second unit 30 c.Thus, the seal 13 arranged around the fitting portion 11 can be alignedwith the inner edge 32 a of the opening 32 in the directions F1 and F3.

Since the body 12 of the electric connector 1 can be positioned relativeto the opening 32 in the directions F1 and F3, it is possible to preventthe electric connector 1 from deviating in position from the opening 32of the casing 30. Consequently, the casing 30 in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention enables the seal 13 tomake uniform and close contact with the inner edge 32 a of the opening32.

In the current embodiment, the first pillars 33 are designed to act asthe first positioning unit 30 a for positioning the electric connector 1relative to the opening 32 in the direction F1. Since the first pillars33 are designed to stand to sandwich the opening 32 therebetween, it isnot necessary to prepare a particular space to be occupied by the firstpositioning unit 30 a.

The top surfaces 33 a of the first pillars 33 act as the second unit 30c (see FIG. 3) which is a part of the second positioning unit forpositioning the electric connector 1 relative to the opening 32 in thedirection F3. Thus, the first pillars 33 act not only as the firstpositioning unit 30 a for positioning the electric connector 1 relativeto the opening 32 in the direction F1, but also as the secondpositioning unit for positioning the electric connector 1 relative tothe opening 32 in the direction F3. Hence, it is not necessary toprepare a particular space to be occupied by the second unit 30 c,ensuring that a space in the casing 30 can be saved.

In addition, since the casing 30 is designed to include the guide paths34 for guiding the fitting portion 11 of the electric connector 1 to theopening 32, it is possible to prevent the body 12 from incliningrelative to the direction F2 while the body 12 is sliding along theguide paths 34. Thus, the fitting portion 11 can forward straightlytowards the opening 32, and hence, the seal 13 arranged around thefitting portion 11 can make uniform contact with the inner edge 32 a ofthe opening 32, and be uniformly compressed. This ensures that theelectric connector 1 can be connected to the casing 30 without damagingthe seal 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the casing 30 in accordance with the presentembodiment is designed to include the first unit 30 b and the secondunit 30 c for fixing the electric connector 1 to the casing 30. Itshould be noted that the casing 30 may be designed to include one of thefirst unit 30 b and the second unit 30 c. It is preferable for thecasing 30 to include both the first and second units 30 b and 30 c,because the first and second units 30 b and 30 c position the electricconnector 1 relative to the opening 32 in the direction F3, and further,provide an enhanced resistance to the top plate 12 a and the bottom 12 bof the electric connector 1 against a compression force exerted on themwhen the electric connector 1 is coupled to the second electricconnector 100 (see FIG. 1).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first surfaces 351 f and the secondsurfaces 363 are defined by the first blocks 35, and the third surfaces352 are defined by the second blocks 36.

For instance, it is supposed that the casing 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 ismade by the aluminum die-casting process. If a die used for die-castingthe casing 30 is upwardly open to the atmosphere, that is, the die isopen in the direction F3, since the spaces defined by the first surfaces351 f, the second surfaces 363 and the third surfaces 352 as the guidepaths 34 extend in the direction F1 perpendicular to the direction F3,it is difficult to integrally form the first and second blocks 35 and 36on the floor 312 of the casing 30.

Thus, it is possible to design the casing 30 to include the guide paths34 by forming the second blocks 36 separately from the first blocks 35,and screwing the second blocks 36 to the first blocks 35. Accordingly,the casing 30 can be designed to include the guide paths 34 regardlessof which direction a die is open, and thus, other parts in the casing 30can be readily formed.

The first positioning unit may be designed to include a single firstpillar 33 situated outwardly of the opening 32 in the direction F1, inwhich case, the first pillar 33 is located such that, when the electricconnector 1 is arranged in contact with the first pillar 33, the fittingportion 11 of the electric connector 1 is located in alignment with theopening 32.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The casing in accordance with the present invention is preferably usedfor an electric connector having waterproofness in the case that anelectric circuit necessary to prevent water penetration thereinto ishoused in the casing. In particular, the casing in accordance with thepresent invention is suitable to an electric connector to be equipped inan automobile running in drastically changed environments.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2013-264075and 2013-264180 both filed on Dec. 20, 2013 and of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2014-004432 filed on Jan. 14, 2014 includingspecification, claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A casing in which an electric connector ishoused, including: a floor; and at least one wall standingperpendicularly to said floor, wherein said wall is formed with anopening, when a part of said electric connector projects outwardlythrough said opening, a seal formed around said part makes close contactwith an inner edge of said opening, said casing further including a pairof guide paths allowing said electric connector at opposite ends thereoflocated in a first direction to slide towards said opening from insideof said casing on a first surface with which said electric connectormakes contact at a lower surface thereof, said first direction beingdefined as a length-wise direction of said wall.
 2. The casing as setforth in claim 1, wherein each of said guide paths includes: a firstpart having said first surface; and a second part having a third surfacestanding perpendicularly to said first surface, a distance between saidthird surfaces of said guide paths being in accordance with a length ofsaid electric connector in said first direction.
 3. The casing as setforth in claim 2, wherein each of said third surfaces includes a taperedportion causing a distance between said third surfaces to be smallertowards said opening from inside of said casing.
 4. The casing as setforth in claim 2, wherein each of said guide paths further includes athird part having a second surface extending from said third surface inparallel with said first surface, a distance between said first andsecond surfaces being such a distance that said electric connector isfittable at said opposite ends thereof into a space formed between saidfirst and second surfaces.
 5. The casing as set forth in claim 4,wherein said third part is detachably attached to said second part. 6.The casing as set forth in claim 4, wherein a length of said secondsurface in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction issmaller than a length of said first surface in said second direction. 7.The casing as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second surface extendstowards said opening from a location away in said second direction froman end of said first surface located remoter than the other end thereoffrom said opening in said second direction.
 8. An electric connector tobe housed in the casing defined in claim 3, including a pair ofextensions outwardly extending from opposite ends thereof located insaid first direction, each of said extensions having a tapered portioncausing a distance between said extensions to be smaller towards saidopening from inside of said casing.